Sesame Oil History Historically, sesame was cultivated more than 5000 years ago as a drought-tolerant crop and was able to grow where other crops failed. Sesame seeds were one of the first crops processed for oil as well as one of the earliest condiments. Sesame was cultivated during the Indus Valley Civilisation and was the main oil crop.  It was probably exported to Mesopotamia around 2500 BC. Gingelly oil is also popularly known as Sesame oil. The meaning of Gingelly oil in Tamil is Nallennai. Synonym of Nallennai is El ennai. In Tamil, El refers to sesame seeds and hence the oil is also known as El ennai. The definition of Gingelly oil is 'the vegetable oil obtained from sesame seeds and popularly used in Asian countries. Benefits 1. Helps in Rheumatoid Arthritis Copper is essential for building red blood cells, making connective tissue and keeping nerves and blood vessels healthy. Copper is also an anti-inflammatory mineral. Therefore, it is said to have positive effects on relieving arthritic pain. A cup (144 g) of sesame seeds contains about 5.9 mg copper (294% of the daily value). Calcium, magnesium, and zinc present in sesame seeds also aid in strengthening bones, joints, and blood vessels. 2. Fight of free radicals The food we eat, the alcohol we consume, and the environments we live in generate free radicals. They, in turn, damage DNA, cells and proteins and may lead to various diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and cancer. Emerging pieces of evidence suggest that sesame oil is a powerhouse of antioxidants especially, sesamol. So, it’s important that you should eat a diet containing sesame seeds and sesame oil. 3. Sesame oil is good for your hair Sure, it requires a ‘little getting used to’, once you start incorporating sesame oil into your hair care routine, you will learn that it is a blessing. The highly nutritious and lubricating sesame oil is full of vitamins B and E, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorous – all essential for nourishing your scalp and hair. Massaging the oil into roots and scalp to keep your locks shiny and full. It also effectively hydrates the dry scalp, prevent hair loss, and relieve from itchiness or dandruff. Sesame oil can darken the hair and prevent premature graying as well. Use it regularly to keep your hair dark and healthy. 4. Sesame oil pulling improves oral health Our ancestors didn’t have Oral B or Colgate to brush their teeth, so they used oil pulling for removing plaque and maintaining oral health. Swishing a tablespoon of sesame oil for up to 15 minutes is an ancient Ayurvedic practice to reduce the growth of Streptococcus mutans in the mouth. This might be due to sesame oil’s antibacterial properties. 5. Helps with bowel movements Constipation is a common problem, affecting all of us from time to time. If the underlying reason is simple, for instance, you fall off the water and fiber content it can be treated using sesame oil. The oil extracted from the black sesame seed lubricates intestine and ease bowel movements. Don’t like drinking sesame oil? Pop a teaspoon of sesame seeds daily until you get relief. 6. Helps to fight stress and depression Trying to cope with anxiety and stress? Include sesame oil as part of your diet. Tyrosine, in sesame oil, has direct links with serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a happy hormone, an imbalance of which will make you depressed and stressed.  Sesame also contains magnesium and calcium, the stress relieving minerals. Also, it has thiamin and tryptophan which are known for their role in the production of serotonin.  When you have enough serotonin in the circulation, you will feel more relaxed and stress remains at bay. 7. Helps in preventing diabetes Owing to the presence of magnesium – 505 mg (126% of DV) per cup, sesame seeds, and sesame oil come handy in combating diabetes. Magnesium alongside other minerals and vitamins lowers blood glucose levels and thwarts the risk of diabetes. A pilot study conducted in hypersensitive diabetic patients indicated that edible sesame oil can lower BP, and plasma glucose levels. 8. Lowers blood pressure There’s a reason why sesame oil was used in cooking since the ancient times. Sesame seeds help prevent hypertension thanks to the high magnesium content present in them. A study published in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine found that sesame oil can lower blood pressure, decrease lipid peroxidation, and increase antioxidant levels in patients with high BP. The researchers also found a significant reduction in body weight and body mass index (BMI) in the subjects who were fed with edible sesame oil for 45 days. Polyunsaturated fats and sesamin present in sesame oil also help maintain blood pressure levels. 9.  Good for your heart A well-established body of research shows that a diet rich in unsaturated fats is good for heart health. Sesame oil comprises 82% unsaturated fatty acids. In particular, it’s rich in omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat that is essential to your diet and plays an important role in heart disease prevention.   sesame oil may help prevent heart disease and even slow the development of plaque in your arteries . In fact, it may lower your cholesterol levels when used in place of oils high in saturated fats. A 1-month study in 48 adults found those who consumed 4 tablespoons (59 ml) of sesame oil daily had greater reductions in LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, compared with those who consumed olive oil. 10. Sesame oil can take high heat sesame oil has a high smoke point of 410˚ and neutral flavor (Smoke point is the temperature at which fat breaks down and release free radicals and unpleasant odors). That means sesame oil is great for sautés and roasts as it doesn’t smell up your kitchen and release toxic chemicals into the air. 11. Slows down the aging of the skin An exciting benefit sesame oil offers is that it can slow down the pace of skin aging. The antioxidants in the oil prevent cellular oxidation and promote skin rejuvenation. Sesamol in sesame oil prevents the appearances of lines, wrinkles, and pores. A systematic review published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that consuming sesame seeds can increase skin elasticity and reduce oxidative stress, thereby reducing the onset of premature aging.Also, the vitamins and the antibacterial phytochemicals in sesame oil can heal the cuts and wounds quite fast, avoiding the formation of ugly scars or marks. 12. Sesame oil is a natural sunscreen If your sunscreen lotion isn’t living up to the claims, switch to natural sunscreens to safeguard your skin. Sesame oil can form a protective film over your skin to eliminate the damages done by UV rays, environmental stressors, and free radicals. If you would like to join the natural sunscreen bandwagon, then start applying sesame oil on your skin. It is rich in Vitamin E which imparts antioxidant properties. 13. Helps in improving eye health Sesame seed and oil offer both nutritive and preventative benefits to your eyes. Being a rich source of flavonoids, phenolic antioxidants, omega-6 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and vitamins, sesame oil can protect ocular cells from inflammation and vision impairments. When applied topically, it will moisturize dry under eye areas thanks to the presence of emollient fatty acids including linoleic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid. According to traditional medicine, regularly massaging eyelids with sesame oil can reduce dark circles and crows’ feet. 14. Improves bone strengt Maintaining copper, calcium, and zinc levels through dietary sources is critical to bone growth. For improving the growth and development of bone, you should add sesame seeds and sesame oil into your diet because they contain more calcium than a glass of milk. Sesame oil is also found to speed up healing or regrowth of bones. Moreover, as you get older, the minerals in sesame oil help prevent osteoporosis and age-related bone changes. 15.  Sesame Oil massage Sesame oil is the most popular massage oil in Ayurveda. Charaka Samhita in Ayurveda lists all the benefits of sesame oil as massage oil. Most of the Ayurvedic skin treatments use sesame oil as the base oil.  It has powerful antioxidants that fight skin damage by free radicals and repair the skin from the damage caused by the sun.

Groundnut Oil History Peanut oil comes from peanuts. It is also called groundnut oil. Peanuts are actually from the bean family and they are native to Paraguay, South America however, they are immensely popular the world over. According to Dymock this plant reached India through China. It does not appear to have been cultivated for more than 150 years.  The oil has a strong peanut flavor and aroma. It is often used in American, Chinese, South Asian and Southeast Asian cuisine, both for general cooking, and in the case of roasted oil, for added flavor. Peanut oil finds many uses for personal health because of its properties. But, that is not all. Peanut oil does have many other prominent health benefits, those that impact millions of people. Benefits 1. Boosts Heart Health Peanut oil is cholesterol-free, which is one of the major factors contributing to complicated heart conditions such as atherosclerosis. Since groundnut oil is used in many different ways, eliminating this dangerous cholesterol from your body can help prevent a variety of health complications. 2.  Controls Cholesterol Levels Peanut oil also contains monounsaturated fatty acids, like oleic acid, which increases the levels of “good cholesterol”, called HDL, in the blood.  This beneficial cholesterol actually helps to scrape off and reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and lower your risk of developing coronary heart diseases and strokes. 3. Anti-cancer Potential Peanut oil contained phytosterols and in particular beta-sitosterol, which may have the ability to protect the body from colon, prostate, and breast cancer. “Anticancer effects of phytosterols” suggests that these natural plant compounds have the ability to inhibit carcinogen production and cancer-cell growth Consumption of phytosterols may also be positively linked to increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduced oxidative stress. 4. Lowers Blood Pressure Peanut oil contains Resveratrol has another important function in the body. It interacts with various hormones that affect blood vessels, like angiotensin, which constricts vessels and arteries. By neutralizing the effects of that hormone, resveratrol helps to decrease blood pressure, which reduces stress on the cardiovascular system. 5. Relieve Joint Pains Peanut oil contains polyunsaturated fatty acids therapeutic potential in treating joint pains in the case of rheumatoid arthritis. The oil could be used to relieve debilitating joint pains. Peanut oil is applied to the skin directly and massaged well, and this may offer some relief. 6. Prevents Cognitive Disorders Peanut oil contains the vitamin E it may play a significant role to promote cognitive health. Further vitamin E may promote healthy brain aging in the elderly. The nutrient may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin E supplementation was also found to boost motor activities in individuals. 7. Skin Care Peanut oil, like many vegetable oils, is quite rich in vitamin E, which is an essential vitamin for human beings. It is particularly important for the maintenance and health of the skin, protecting it from the effects of free radicals that cause wrinkles, blemishes, and other signs of premature aging. The vitamin E in peanut oil keeps your skin looking young and healthy as you get older. 8.  Treat Scalp Psoriasis Peanut oil contains the vitamin E may aid the treatment of psoriasis, including that of the skin and scalp. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the antioxidants in peanut oil may treat dandruff, and in some cases, can aid the treatment of scalp psoriasis. This could be attributed to the moisturizing properties of peanut oil. 9. Boost Hair Growth Some research suggests that the ingestion of vitamin E supplements may boost hair growth. The topical application of vitamin E may reduce protein loss from hair and make it thicker. The oil is also thought to moisturize split ends and regenerate damaged hair. 10. Improve Insulin Sensitivity Peanut oil contains oleic acid, which was found to improve insulin production in type 2 diabetes. A diet high in peanut oil can also reverse the negative effects of inflammation on type 2 diabetes. Peanut oil also contains polyunsaturated fatty acids. These are healthy fats and it may improve blood glucose levels, treat insulin resistance, and enhance insulin secretion capacity. Replacing dietary saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat improved insulin secretion in those with diabetes. A combination of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (as present in peanut oil) may also enhance insulin sensitivity in individuals with diabetes. 11. Provides relief from constipation Groundnut oil also has laxative properties. Including this oil in your daily diet, even as little as one teaspoon of oil can help in relieving the symptoms of constipation. 12. Boosts Immune System A final benefit of the impressive levels of resveratrol in peanut oil is the improvement of your immune system. Viral and fungal infections are particularly susceptible to this antioxidant, so adding peanut oil to your diet can keep you healthy in yet another way, by stimulating your white blood cell production to fend off any foreign agents in your body.

Coconut Oil History Long a dietary staple of the people of Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands, coconut oil has been used for both food and health care. It has been used in Ayurvedic herbalism for 4,000 years and it is natural oil. History says that coconut was cultivated in India along the Malabar Coast much before the time of Christ. Coconut agriculture became prevalent in Sri Lanka around the time of Christ. Countries such as Philippines, Malayasia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guined are also heavily into coconut cultivation. Benefits 1. Contains healthy fatty acids The fatty acids in coconut oil can encourage your body to burn fat, and they provide quick energy to your body and brain. They also raise HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood, which may help reduce heart disease risk. Most dietary fats are categorized as long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), while coconut oil contains some medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are shorter fatty acid chains. When you eat MCTs, they tend to go straight to your liver. Your body uses them as a quick source of energy or turns them into ketones. Ketones can have powerful benefits for your brain, and researchers are studying ketones as a treatment for epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and other conditions. 2. May boost heart health  Since coconut oil is so high in saturated fats, that helps boost HDL (or "good") cholesterol to ward off heart disease and lowering high triglycerides. Additionally, coconut oil also performs a rather remarkable and heart-healthy feat - it helps turn bad cholesterol into good cholesterol. 3. Helps with Weight Loss Coconut oil also can help with weight loss, as it acts as a fat burner and a calorie burner, especially with doses of unrefined coconut oil. It also acts as an appetite suppressant. One study shows that the capric acid in coconut oil helps boost thyroid performance, which in turn reduces a body's resting heart rate and aids in burning fat for an increased energy boost. 4. Acts as an Anti-aging Component Rich with antioxidants, coconut oil is known to slow the aging process, generally by curbing any undue stress on the liver. 5. May raise HDL (good) cholesterol Coconut oil contains natural saturated fats that increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels in your body. They may also help turn LDL (bad) cholesterol into a less harmful form. By increasing HDL, many experts believe that coconut oil may boost heart health compared with many other fats. In one study in 40 women, coconut oil reduced total and LDL (bad) cholesterol while increasing HDL, compared with soybean oil. Another study in 116 adults showed that following a diet program that included coconut oil raised levels of HDL (good) cholesterol in people with coronary artery disease 6. Help Digestion and Liver Health Another benefit of coconut oil - it helps with food digestion by aid the body take in fat-soluble components like vitamins and magnesium. It also eliminates toxic bacteria and candida, which fights poor digestion and stomach inflammation. That helps prevent stomach ulcers. Coconut oil also guards against any damage to the liver, and also aids in curing urinary tract infections. 7. Acts as a Salve for Wounds and Burns Coconut is good for the skin, especially in the treatment of wounds, burns, and dermatitis. It also acts as sunblock, and as a moisturizer for the skin, thanks to the two primary fatty acids in unrefined coconut oil, caprylic and lauric, and to its antioxidant component, which team up to reduce inflammation under the skin and promote better healing. 8. May protect your skin Many people use it for cosmetic purposes to improve the health and appearance of their skin and Studies show that coconut oil can improve the moisture content of dry skin and reduce the symptoms of eczema.  9.  Protect your hair Coconut oil promotes the scalp health fighting against such problems as insect bites, lice and dandruff. Coconut oil moisturizes dry hair. Coconut oil adds luster, shine and softness to the hair. Coconut oil prevents hair breakage and split ends, contributing to hair length. 10. Oil pulling Oil pulling is an oral health routine that involves swishing oil around in the mouth in a similar way to mouthwash, but for a much more extended period. Coconut oil is highly absorbable oil with several health benefits, including reducing inflammation and fighting harmful bacteria. It is also edible, so has few risks for oral use.  Most supporters of oil pulling recommend swishing a tablespoon of oil in the mouth for 15–20 minutes to reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth and on the teeth.